Thien Hau Temple, Kuala Lumpur

This is a temple located on a small hill, Robson Heights and every year it is festooned with red lanterns to welcome in the new lunar year. This year it welcomed the Year of the Snake. At night its myriad lanterns cast a red glow that can be seen from afar.

A large statue of Kuan Yin stands near the entrance with a little bridge across a small brook.

Further ahead is another statue of an old man with a book. I cannot read Mandarin so I don’t know who he represents.

To the side are the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac with plates describing the characteristics of each creature.

Inside the temple are idols depicting the different gods worshipped by believers. Many people were already there in the early morning to make petitions through prayers. Outside is a large decorative urn for joss sticks to be placed after prayers

The red lanterns strung above the courtyard form a red canopy. Lion dances are usually performed at certain hours to entertain the public. We are too early to catch the performance.

From the temple we get a panaromic view of the Kuala Lumpur suburbs, with the iconic buildings in the far off distance.

Lots of tourists and worshippers were thronging the temple grounds as we left.